by: Tina Amini
NEWS - Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment made two announcements today for Turbine’s The Lord of the Rings Online. First, LOTRO will now be free-to-play up to level 50, with the LOTRO Store open for players to purchase expansions, quest packs, items, and account services as they desire. While previously the game ran under a premium subscription, they are now adopting the same free-to-play model as has proven successful with Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited.

In addition to this new incentive to pick up the MMO, the game is also receiving an update complete with an entirely new region: Enedwaith. Volume III is effectively updated with Book 2: The Ride of the Grey Company. As the title might suggest, your quests in this update entail joining the forces of the Grey Company in Rivendell to explore the new region in 15 solo-able chapters.

The Harvest Festival also makes a return, with this year’s special event located in a haunted hobbit fun-house: the new Haunted Burrow. In a matter of housekeeping, the update also brings a few other features and tweaks including a new storage system, an updated character creation system, and a “classic” feature for instances that allows for repeatable, scalable content. Read on to learn more, and be sure to check out the new screens and TV commercial (which releases during Family Guy on Sunday the 12th on FOX) below. It’s clever - if not obvious - but I think the intensity in Gandalf’s famous line wasn’t up to par. Check below to see what you think.



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by: Dan Keener
NEWS - Yup, Tetris is finally coming to the Android Marketplace according to the folks that run EA Mobile’s Facebook Page. To show it off, they tossed out a few screen from the Android version for everyone that doesn’t have any of the other 5,000,000 other iterations of the game to slobber over. Commence drooling:

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by: Dan Keener
NEWS - Yup, Lite Bright, the game entertaining kids since the late 1960s can now be had on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. Not only can you play against the clock to finish your drawing, but you can share with friend and even animate them. Best part for us parents? No bits and pieces to lose or bulbs to burn out. Second best thing? It’s only a meager $0.99. Check out a few screens below….

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by: Dan Keener
NEWS - Yahtzee Adventures for the iPhone is one of the best electronic versions of Yahtzee I have played to date. Now, we are getting Yahtzee HD, which looks like a super-sized and graphically upgraded version of Yahtzee Adventures to be found on the iPad. The best thing is that the iPad version sports some exclusives, such as HD graphics, optimized gameplay for the larger iPad screen, instant Facebook Connect access for posting scores and sending challenges to friends and the new Duplicate Rainbow Mode. Yahtzee HD can be found in the AppStore for $4.99.

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by: Dan Keener
NEWS - Jeopardy! has finally found it's way to the AppStore with versions released for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad yesterday. The game features more than 2,700 clues and you can compete via Bluetooth or wireless against friends. The cost is $1.99 (iPod Touch, iPhone) or $4.99 (iPad). The game is also available for Java, Brew, Blackberry and Windows Mobile for anywhere from $2.49 - $9.99 depending on the carrier.

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by: Dan Keener
NEWS - Cool! Rock Band is bringing two Dio songs and a bunch of singles from Silverchair, Underoath, Morrissey and more next week. However, the centerpiece, at least for me, is “Holy Diver” by Dio. Regardless of your tastes, the pricing will be the usual $1.99/200 MS Points/200 Wii Pts per track. Here is the full list:

• Dio – “Holy Diver” +
• Dio – “Stand Up and Shout” +
• Juliana Hatfield – “Nirvana”
• Morrissey – “Irish Blood, English Heart”
• Silverchair – “Straight Lines”
• The Smiths – “This Charming Man” +
• Underoath – “Writing on the Walls”

Tracks marked with “+” will also be available for download in the family-friendly LEGO® Rock Band Music Store

In addition, the Rock Band Network will be picking up 10 new songs including one each from Third Eye Blind and Drowning Pool. Here are four of the songs for RBN, which will also be appearing on the Wii for the first time.

• Drowning Pool - "Bodies"
• Band of Skulls - "I Know What I Am"
• Third Eye Blind - "Semi-Charmed Life '09"
• Lacuna Coil - "Survive"

Check the release for full details and bios on the bands.


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by: Jeremy Duff
NEWS - I really (REALLY) like the episodic trailer concept that Capcom is using to promote their upcoming Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds. I only hope that there is a full version available when everything is said and done because the animation and style has been top notch thus far. The latest chapter shows a bunch of familiar faces as well as a new, although previously rumored, face: Tron Bonne. Check it out:



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by: Jeremy Duff
NEWS - Konami has released some information regarding a couple of upcoming DLC packs for the Xbox 360 exclusive Ninety Nine Nights 2. There have been three separate packs announced for the game thus far.

DLC pack 1 is scheduled to hit the Xbox Live marketplace later this month for 320 MS points and will add new maps (Aerial and Guard) for the online mode(s). The second pack will be free and is coming this October and contains an all new character for use online. The final pack will be an equipment pack available in November for 40 MS points which can be used online and offline.

Source: Made 2 Game


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by: Jeremy Duff
NEWS - There has been a lot of information released in the past month from Capcom regarding their upcoming platforming MMO, Mega Man Universe. Between the San Diego Comic-Con, last week’s PAX Prime, and the upcoming Tokyo Game Show... the game has and is pretty much getting a full reveal.

The first gameplay footage of the game was released by Capcom just prior to PAx Prime thanks to Inafune-san. The footage, shown below, put a lot of fan’s fears to rest as it is evident that the new game will maintain the same classic Mega Man gameplay that the fans have grown to know and love. The video shows a few of the Mega Man variations that will be available, including the classic NES box art version of the blue bomber.


The Capcom Unity Blog has also shed some light on thanks to my buddy Snow! In a recent blog posting, Snow showed off some screens from both the character and level creators in the game. The character creation mode will allow gamers to construct their own personalized Mega Man and you stats and abilities will change depending on the parts that you use. We all knew that this was going to be included as it wa smentioned along with the game’s announcement earlier this year. What we didn’t know about though was the stage creator. Mega Man Universe will also contain a level / stage creator that will allow gamers to create and share their own platforming levels across the Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. You can check out some shots of both modes below:

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by: Jeremy Duff
NEWS - Who would have thought that the best looking game for 2010 could potentially go to a game on the Nintendo Wii? That could happen as Nintendo’s upcoming Kirby’s Epic Yarn continues to show off, arguably, the best graphics that we have seen on the Wii to date. Granted, we will have to see how things play out, but on the surface the game looks amazing.

Nintendo is really throwing their selves behind this new graphical style as the game looks like an incredibly smooth stop motion animation using actual yarn and string. The game launches this fall but you can check out some new screenshots below:

Source: Gamekyo


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by: Jeremy Duff
NEWS - Capcom’s Yoshinori Ono has released some images of the next set of costumes that are being prepared for Super Street FIghter IV. The images, released via Ono’s Twitter page, depict sketches of the new duds for Ryu, Chun Li, Juri, Sakura, Cammy, and Fei Long. Who knows when these outfits will see a release, but the promotional art for them looks really cool. Check it out:



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by: Jeremy Duff
NEWS - Capcom won’t stop until the iPod version of Street Fighter IV’s roster matches that of the big-brother console versions. C. Viper was announced recently as coming in a future free update and now Capcom has announced that E. Honda is coming as well. The release date for the characters is still undetermined but is noted as being “soon”. The big man adds a little more balance and variation to the roster which will likely be a welcome addition in the eyes of fighting fans…




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by: Charles Husemann
NEWS - Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want,
So tell me what you want, what you really really want,
I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want,
So tell me what you want, what you really really want,
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna, I wanna really
really really wanna zigazig ha.

Well if what you really wanted a Move fitness game with former Spice Girl Mel B you're in luck as Deep Silver has announced Get Fit With Mel B, a game (natch) that will allow you to work out with the former Spice Girl. The game will miss the Move launch of the Move by a few weeks (it won't appear on shelves until September 28th) but still close enough to get some of that launch contact buzz.

Of course the hard part of playing the game will be trying to get the song "Wannabe" out of your head, something that's already happened to me as I write this post...



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by: Jeremy Duff
NEWS -






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by: John Yan
NEWS - Valve's one of my favorite companies as they put out high quality games and continue to support them long after their release. Now, every successful company fails more often than not and learn from their mistakes. PC Gamer interviewed the folks at Valve and they talk about their past failures.

One of the more interesting things happened at E3 when Gabe Newell walked out at Sony's press conference to announce Steamworks and Portal 2 for the PlayStation 3. A major part of going the Sony route is the rules setup by Microsoft for submission of software to Xbox Live. Gabe goes on to call it a train wreck especially with how they go about delivering on their software.

You see all the updates on the PC side of things yet the 360 version of Team Fortress 2 doesn't have nearly the updates that it should. Microsoft likes to keep a tight control over Xbox Live and the process you have to go through to push out updates or new software. I can see how a company like Valve and how they work find the process to be limiting. The only way it's ever going to change is if Valve or some company succeeds hugely with their process though to really force anything to change with the way Microsoft does business.


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by: Nathan Murray
NEWS - Will Carmine's life be spared in Gears of War 3? Epic's lips are sealed when it comes to the fate of the latest in a long line of Carmines. However they have announced, at the G4 panel at PAX, that the total amount raised for the Child's Play charity from the sales of real life and digital t-shirts to support the continued life or death of Carmine is over $150,000. I guess we finally know how much this fictional character's life (or death) is worth.


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by: Nathan Murray
NEWS - What happens when you combine random encounters with huge boss-like monster hunting you down? I don't know, but it sure sounds exciting! Etrian Odyssey III will feature F.O.E.s or Formido Oppugnatura Exsequens are dungeon monsters that are clearly marked on dungeon maps, because avoiding them gives your party the best possible chance of getting out alive! Don't take my word for it; watch this latest (and last) Etrian Odyessey III video and learn about your new worst nightmare.


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by: Tina Amini
NEWS - Fifteen years ago, PlayStation made its appearance in North America. From 1995 to the present year of 2010, the company has seen the fall of cartridge-based games in favor of discs, and looks to the future with what they hope will be innovative technologies such as sterescopic 3D and augmented reality. Indeed, Sony is due to launch their upcoming Move technology to (arguably) enhance console gaming experience.

In celebration of this birthday, PlayStation gamers will have access to free downloadable static themes on the PS3 and PSP, weekly discounts on certain PS1 games (found in the PlayStation 15th anniversary collection page) including a 50% discount on Super Rub A Dub, and an original PlayStation ornament for display pleasure.

As for the fun facts of the day, PlayStation has moved 377 million+ consoles and 2 billion software units since its inception. This amounts to $63 billion in profit in the U.S. In addition, the announcement comes with a quick timeline of significant events in PlayStation’s lifetime.

The very first console I could proudly call my own was a PlayStation, so Sony will always have a particularly warm place in my heart. I can look back on my personal history with the company’s hardware and software with a sense of nostalgia on this day of their celebration. How about all of you?

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by: Tina Amini
NEWS - Hudson Entertainment announces the birth of Hudson Gate alongside the birthday of PlayStation today. Hudson Gate will function as a community hub/lounge for everything related to Hudson games. This includes virtual products and information, with the light today being shed on Dolphy the virtual pet. Dolphy can be enrolled in a racing mini-game versing seven other fashionably-attired dolphins.

The highlight of the developer/publisher’s PlayStation Home portal is, of course, their Bomberman franchise. Launching in unison with the release of Bomberman Live: Battlefest this year on PSN will be the Bomber Dome featured in the Hudson Gate. They are likely to continue to add features and games to the portal, so if Hudson Entertainment strikes an interest with you this may be something to keep an eye on.

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by: Tina Amini
NEWS - If there is one game I can always look forward to for DLC, it’s definitely Borderlands. The upcoming add-on, Claptrap New Robot Revolution - which is also the most interesting content of the four packages (rogue robots: I need say no more) - has just received several new screenshots to be exposed to the public.

The images feature interesting new technological objects, including what looks to be a rocket train that will undoubtedly serve for some violent fun. The artwork is just as suitably gritty as always, and the two Fidel Castro-inspired posters are as hilarious as the last. Definitely great desktop background material.

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by: Sean Nack
NEWS - F.3.A.R.? Fithreer? Fifthrear? Whatever, I played it and it was fun.


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by: Sean Colleli
NEWS - It's a shame that TrackMania Wii has been delayed, but at least they're making the multiplayer great. This looks like what Sonic would race in if he used a car. It might not be excruciatingly realistic like Gran Turismo, but it's at least less goofy than Mario Kart and should serve as a good racing alternative for those Saturday gaming parties.




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by: Chad Smith
NEWS - Did you know that there were two main sides in World War II? Of course! Since we already learned about the Allied Commander roles in Company of Heroes Online, it was only a matter of time before we learned about the Axis Army. Today is the day. THQ and Relic have released a trailer that displays the three options that you can have your Commander specialize in, namely: Defensive, Blitzkrieg, and Terror. Check it out and head over to join the open beta if you haven't already.



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by: Chad Smith
NEWS - Gamers must like racing for free. Why? Well, over one million users have registered to play Need for Speed World. Even if you've checked it out in the past, EA says to keep an eye on what's in the pipeline. More features, cars, performance customization, a new region and even a co-op pursuit mode are in the works. All players can now click here to download the game and play for free. Have you had a chance to check it out? Let us know!

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by: Chad Smith
NEWS - Achievements and trophies are here to stay. It doesn't matter if you love them, hate them, or couldn't care less. Various forms of virtual rewards have shown up on the 360, PS3, Steam, Paradox Interactive titles (coming soon) and more. I personally like arbitrary proof that I've done something; small goals keep things interesting and don't cause a mess if you fail.

That's one of the reasons why Folding@Home has become a personal interest of mine. What is Folding@Home? I'll let the official site from Stanford University explain it for me:
"Folding@home is a distributed computing project -- people from throughout the world download and run software to band together to make one of the largest supercomputers in the world. Every computer takes the project closer to our goals. Folding@home uses novel computational methods coupled to distributed computing, to simulate problems millions of times more challenging than previously achieved."

In short, it allows everyone to contribute to a very important research project about protein folding. The implications of successful research could find better treatments (or cures) for such things as Alzheimer's, ALS and many cancers. The distributed computing method is simple. Download a small program that can be run in the background of your computer. It uses your CPU's idle time to "number cruch" for Stanford's research. You'll want to turn it off for gaming but you won't notice a performance hit during web surfing, creating documents, and general computer use.

In addition to knowing your computer is doing a good thing, it also quickly becomes a task of reaching the next milestone (achievement). How many points can you average per day? How many work units can you complete in a month? I find myself tracking my stats more often than I'd like to admit.

Would you like to know more? Read more about the project here. All of the guides and help that you might need to get it running on your computer or PS3 can be found here (among other places). The [H]ardOCP community even does giveaways for active members up to and including a new i7 machine. Why not put your lazy computer to work and contribute to something greater than yourself? I have it running on my work computer since I have to leave it on all the time. If it's just sitting there, I figure it could at least be doing something to offset the energy it's using.



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by: Sean Nack
NEWS - With Brink's fluid gameplay and intense customization, we may have a CoD-killer on our hands.


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by: Sean Nack
NEWS - Fallout 3: New Vegas leaves this reporter less than impressed.


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by: Sean Nack
NEWS - A cooperative beat 'em up conjures a dark fantasy world worth checking out.


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by: Sean Nack
NEWS - Duke Nukem Forever, fo' reals.


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by: Charles Husemann
NEWS - Here's the list of games that Tecmo-Koei will be showing off at the Tokyo Game Show next week. I'm interested to see how well Quantum Theory is received as it could fill that Gears of War niche until Gears of War 3 hits next year (there is a demo available on the PlayStation Network now but I haven't had a chance to check it out yet). Here's the rest of the lineup:

• Trinity: Souls of Zill O’ll
• Warriors: Legends of Troy
• Quantum Theory
• shin No Arashi: Shippu Ryouma Den (Japan Only)
• Winning Post 7 2010 (Japan Only)
• Nobunaga’s Ambition Online (Japan Only)
• Uncharted Waters Online
• Dynasty Warriors Online
• Nobunaga’s Ambition (Japan Only)
• Kanji Shaker (Japan Only)
• Annie’s Wild Shot (Japan Only)

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